Automatic tilting safety transmission adapter base

ABSTRACT

An automatic tilting safety transmission adapter base assembly for facilitating removal and installation of vehicle transmissions. The apparatus is comprised of upper and lower contiguous plate members having hinge means and stop means arranged in a manner respective of a jack head mount means which enables the assembly to be removably affixed to a jack head, and the upper plate member to be affixed to a transmission by bolts, so that the transmission can be removed at an angle relative to the vehicle and which avoids side loads being imparted into the jack. The stop means are located adjacent the hinge means and prevents the contiguous plate members from pivoting away from one another an amount which would allow the center of gravity of the transmission to pass over center of the adaptor base.

United States Patent [191 Notgrass [451 Dec. 3, 1974 AUTOMATIC TILTING SAFETY TRANSMISSION ADAPTER BASE James Burl Notgrass, 1401 E. 52nd St., Odessa, Tex. 79762 Filed: June 8, 1973 Appl. No.: 368,444

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 254/134 [51] Int. Cl B66f 3/00 [58] Field of Search 254/133, 134, 3 R; 269/17,

Primary Examiner-A1 Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Robert Watson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Marcus L. Bates 5 7 ABSTRACT An automatic tilting safety transmission adapter base assembly for facilitating removal and installation of vehicle transmissions. The apparatus is comprised of upper and lower contiguous plate members having hinge means and stop means arranged in a manner re spective of a jack head mount means which enables the assembly to be removably affixed to a jack head, and the upper plate member to be affixed to a transmission by bolts, so that the transmission can be removed at an angle relative to the vehicle and which avoids side loads being imparted into the jack. The stop means are located adjacent the hinge means and prevents the contiguous plate members from pivoting away from one another an amount which would allow the center of gravity of the transmission to pass over center of the adaptor base.

8 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENIELHEB 3M4 3,851,857

SNEU 10F 2 FIG. I 26 O Fl 2 7 /9O /40 221E OYJO AUTOMATIC TILTING SAFETY TRANSMISSION ADAPTER BASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Adapters for transmission jacks are known to those skilled in the art. For example, Johnson US. Pat. No. 2,838,278; Gordon US. Pat. No. 2,994,443; and Lewis, Sr. US. Pat. No. 3,185,318 teach various apparatus for facilitating the removal of transmissions from vehicles.

The various prior art adapter patents usually require a chain or a loop in the form of a band to be placed about the transmission in order to secure the housing thereof to the adapter plate. This has been found to be a dangerous practice with some transmissions because the contours of the casting of the transmission housing encourages the chain or the band to slide therefrom, thereby enabling the transmission to inadvertently fall to the ground. Others have made an attempt to cradle the transmission in order to bottom support the apparatus as it is removed or replaced respective to the vehicle.

In all of the prior art adapter base assemblies, considerable difficulty is experienced as the transmission is removed from or replaced into the car for the reason that the vertical displacement from ground level to the adapter base assembly is of a length which presents a long moment arm and as the transmission is. downwardly removed from the vehicle, a dangerous side load is placed upon the piston of the jack.

It is therefore desirable to be able to positively removably bolt part of the adapter base assembly onto the transmission structure so that it can be positively secured to the jack which supports the entire assembly. Moreover, it is desirable to minimize the horizontal side loads which normally are placed onto the piston of the jack as the transmission is being removed or replaced respective of the vehicle. It would therefore be further desirable that the transmission follow the path of least resistance in a normal and natural manner as it is being removed or installed relative to the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in tools, and specifically to an automatic tilting safety transmission adapter base assembly for removing and installing vehicle transmissions; comprising, upper and lower contiguous plate members hinged together in a pivotal manner along a coextensive edge portion thereof so that the plate members are free to be pivotally moved a limited amount respective to one another. Stop means affixed to the plate means limit the angular displacement of one plate member relative to the other as the contiguous plates are freely pivoted apart.

A jack head mount means enables the assembly to be removably secured to a jack assembly. A plurality of elongate swingable brackets are pivotally secured in a special location relative to the upper plate member so that the brackets can be freely swung in an arcuate manner, so that the swinging end of the bracket can be temporarily bolted onto the transmission in a positive manner. A cut-out formed at the hinged marginal end portion of the lower plate member enables the contiguous plate members to be pivoted together into an abuting face'to-face relationship so that one plate member is positioned parallel to the other.

In one specific embodiment of the invention. the hinge means and stop means are unitarily constructed in a manner which rigifies the entire structure and greatly simplifies its construction.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of improvements in adapter bass assemblies for tilting safety transmission apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide improvements in tilting adapter base assemblies for transmissions which enables the transmission to be removed or replaced into a vehicle with unbound vertical movement with no horizontal side loads being imparted into the jack assembly.

A further object of this invention is to provide improvements in adapter base assemblies which enables a transmission to freely tilt from the horizontal while at the same time preventing excessive tilting of the transmission so that its center of gravity is never pivoted over the center of the support structure.

A still further object of this invention is to provide improvements in attachment means by which a trans mission can be affixed to a transmission adapter base assembly.

These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and claims and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one form of a tilting safety transmission adapter base assembly made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the adapter base as sembly disclosed in FIG. 1, with some parts thereof being removed so as to better illustrate the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged detail of part of the apparatus disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4a is a side elevational view of an accessory for use in conjunction with the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 4b is a bottom plan view of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 4a;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the apparatus disclosed in FIGS. 1-3, with the apparatus being disclosed in operative relationship with a jack head;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are side elevational views of the apparatus disclosed in the foregoing figures, with the apparatus being shown in one of its operative relationships;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged, part crosssectional view of apparatus similar to the disclosure of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 8 is a part cross-sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, part crosssectional end view of the modification of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. I0 is a fragmentary, part cross-sectional side view of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 9; I

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, cross-sectional presentation of part of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 6; and,

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, part cross sectional representation of part of the apparatus disclosed in FIGS. I and 2. I

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is seen disclosed an automatic tilting safety transmission adapter base assembly comprised of a lower plate member 12 having spaced apertured lugs or ears I4 and 16 downwardly depending therefrom. Upper plate member 18 is pivotally affixed to the lower plate member by hinge means 20, so that the contiguous plate members can be pivotally moved towards and away from one another with unbound motion, save the friction present within the hinge means.

Opposed stop means 22 and 24, the details of which are better disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 7-9, are positioned closely adjacent to and form part of the hinged end of the apparatus. The stop means are of a configuration which limits the free pivotal motion of the contiguous plate members.

Brackets 26, 26' and 28, 28', the details of which are set forth in FIGS. 3 and 12, are swingably secured to the apertures formed about the peripheral marginal edge portion of the upper plate member, as will be discussed in greater detail later on.

As best seen illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 11, bracket 30 can be positioned in opposed relationship to the hinge means in order to accommodate large standard type transmissions.

As seen 38'the illustration of FIGS. 4a and 4b, an elongated cylindrical lifting member 34 having spaced flanges 35, 3S and a threaded fastener means 36 can be placed through the unthreaded aperture 3840 and into threaded engagement with the threaded aperture 38 of the lower plate member so that the entire apparatus can be used in conjunction with the lifting jack so as to enable a force to be applied to a transmission when it is deemed desirable to do so.

As best seen illustrated in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the before mentioned hinge means is comprised of a rod 40 rigidly affixed to lower plate member I2, as by welding, with the rod extending through an aperture formed within an extension 140 of the before mentioned stop means. Nut I42 threadedly engages the marginal terminal threaded end portion of the rod so that the rod and the extension member form a hinge means about which the contiguous plate members can be pivotally moved relative to one another.

As seen in FIGS. 7-10, which sets forth a modification of the hinge means disclosed in FIGS. 1-3, the rod 40 has an enlargement 42 formed on the end thereof, with elements 44, 46 being alternately connected to the upper and the lower plate members. Vertical wall 48 of the stop means is affixed to the upper plate as by welding and includes an inside wall portion which slid-ably engages the side wall of the lower plate member. The stop means is inwardly turned at 50 and continues to edge portion 52 to provide a surface for abutting engagement with the lower face of the lower plate member. Edge portion 56 of the stop means is preferably placed at the illustrated angle disclosed at FIG. 7.

The before mentioned bracket 30 is comprised of member 58 which is apertured at 60 for attachment to a transmission. Lower member 62 is apertured at 64 for attachment to the pivoted apertured end portion of the upper plate member in the illustrated manner of FIG. 6. Bolt means 66 enables the relative distance as well as the angle between the flanges at 60 and 64 to be adjusted relative to one another as may be required for attachment of a transmission to the upper plate member.

As seen in FIG. 12, the swingable bracket 26 is comprised of a body portion 68 which terminates in opposed end portions 70, 72 with end portion 70 receiving the illustrated aperture therethrough so that it can be attached to the upper plate member by a bolt means. Swingable enlarged end 72 is apertured at 74 so that a bolt may be placed therethrough and into the threaded bolt ring of the oil pan which forms the fluid reservoir of a hydraulic transmission.

Looking again now to the details of FIG. 5 which shows one operative embodiment of the present invention. and wherein there is disclosed ajaek head having opposed lugs 82 which threadedly receive tilting bolts 84 therethrough with the bolts being brought into engagement with the lower plate member 12. Remov able pin 86 is safetied in the illustrated manner of FIG. 5 so that the pin can be removed from the spaced lugs of the bottom plate member thereby enabling rapid disassembly of the apparatus.

OPERATION In operation. pin 86 removably secures the lugs of the lower plate member to the jack head in the illustrated manner of FIG. 5, after which bolts 84 are made up to bias the entire assembly into alignment with the transmission to be removed. Brackets 26, 28, 128 are positioned about the outer marginal edge portion of the plate member so that a bolt placed through aperture 74 thereof can be brought into axial alignment with one of the threaded bolt holes located in the oil pan of the transmission. The use of the brackets together with the illustrated bolt holes makes a universal adaptor base which can fit both standard and automatic transmissions of most any vehicle.

The lifting jack is actuated so that the transmission is freely supported independently of the vehicle after which the drive shaft and input shaft of the transmission are disconnected from the vehicle. The transmission is next lowered from the vehicle by use of the lifting jack with the transmission following whatever angu lar disposition is required in order for it to travel along its path ofleast resistance as it is lowered from the vehicle.

FIG. 6a represents the invention attached to a transmission which is about to be removed from a vehicle. or which has been installed in the vehicle and the invention is ready to be removed from the transmission. For this reason the lower plate member is disclosed pivoted its maximum amount and against the stop means.

FIG. 6b illustrates the invention attached to a trans mission and to a jack head with the transmission being freely supported independently of the vehicle while being towered from the vehicle by the use of the lifting jack and with the transmission following whatever angular disposition is required in order for it to travel along its path of least resistance as it is lowered from the vehicle.

Of course, as the transmission of FIG. 6b is lowered from the vehicle. the workman will generally place his hand about the output shaft with the other hand controlling the hydraulic valve of the jack head so that as the transmission finally clears the various obstructions associated with a vehicle. the technician can gently lower the propeller shaft thereby enabling the upper and lower contiguous plate members to engage one an other with the transmission being seated on the jack head clear of the vehicle and ready to be moved to the technicians work bench.

The stop means enables unbound pivotal motion within its limits of travel so that absolutely no fore and aft side load is placed upon the lifting jack, and at the same time the stop means prevents the upper plate member from tilting an excessive amount relative to the lower plate member. This cooperative action of the various described elements prevents the center of gravity of the pivoted apparatus to go over the center, that is, to reach a position where the transmission will have a tendency to continue in a pivotal motion about the jack.

The location of the jack head of the hydraulic jack means relative to the anticipated load carried by plate 18 and to the lower plate member enables the transmission to be removed and replaced with respect to the vehicle in an improved and safe manner.

Brackets 26, 28, and 128 may be placed in the illustrated position of FIG. 1 as well as in any one of the remaining illustrated peripheral apertures. The brackets usually will be placed on the bottom in registry with apertures 92-94. It should be noted, however, in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the brackets may be placed on either side of the upper plate member, or if bound necessary, inverted so as to adjust the relative distance of the base of the enlargement 72 relative to the bolt ring of the oil pan.

The cutout 143 formed in the lower plate member enables the bolts placed within the three apertures at 90 to be received partially therewithin as the contiguous plate members are pivoted together, thereby enabling a parallel disposition of the plates when the contiguous plate members are brought into face-to-face abuting relationship. Moreover, when a bracket 128 is attached to the bottom face of the upper plate member,

the cut-out provides ample free swinging of the bracket about its fastener means so as to enable rapid engagement of the free end of the bracket to be effected with respect to the transmission.

The free end of the lower plate member is cut into the form of a truncated cone by the illustrated edge portions 144, 145 so as to provide still another cut-out within which a bracket fastener to aperture 92, 93 may freely pivot about a fastener means.

Lifting member 34 can be rapidly attached to the threaded aperture 38 when the contiguous plates are brought together in abuting relationship, with the flange 35' bearing against the upper plate member and the flange 35 bearing against the bottom of the transmission. This expedient enables an upward force to be exerted upon the transmission while it is bolted into operative position within a vehicle, thereby facilitating re moval of cross-over members and the like which block the intended path described in lowering the transmission from the vehicle. The small profile of the lifting member provides ample space within which one can work while carrying out this necessary step of the operation.

l claim:

1. An automatic tilting safety transmission adapter base assembly for removing and installing vehicle transmissions comprising upper and lower contiguous plate members, hinge means pivotally connecting a marginal edge portion of said contiguous plate members toa plurality of elongate swingable brackets, means forming spaced apertures in said brackets; one aperture being for attachment to a transmission;

a plurality of apertures formed in the marginal hinged end portion of said upper plate, bolt means swingably securing one apertured portion of said bracket to said upper plate; and a cut-out in the hinged end of said lower plate member for enabling the plates to be pivoted together with the lower plate member freely clearing said bracket and said bolt means; whereby:

said base assembly can be affixed to a jack head by said jack head mount means, said brackets can be affixed to a transmission, and the transmission can be removed or replaced respective of a vehicle while the plate members freely pivot apart so that the transmission can assume an angular disposition relative to the vehicle and the jack.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stop means is affixed to said upper plate, said stop means having a vertical downwardly disposed wall from which there is affixed an inwardly directed wall which abuttingly receives the lower plate thereagainst when the upper plate member is pivoted away therefrom.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said vertical downwardly disposed wall includes a continuation thereof which is apertured to form part of said hinge means, a pin attached to said lower plate means, said pin having a free end portion extending through said continuation of said downwardly disposed wall.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lower plate member has a pin welded thereto which extends outwardly therefrom and into engagement with said vertical wall form said hinge means.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said upper plate member has a series of apertures formed in the area which is superimposed upon said cut-out when the plates are brought into abutting engagement, so that a fastener means can be placed within one said aperture and affixed to one said bracket to thereby enable a transmission to be removably fastened to the upper plate member by said bracket.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said upper plate is provided with apertures at the end opposed to said hinge means and said lower plate member is shortened relative to said upper plate at the end opposed to said hinge means to enable the lower plate member to freely clear the brackets placed in the last said apertures.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the free marginal end portion of said lower plate member is in the form of a truncated triangle, to provide a working area for brackets which are attached to opposed sides of the upper plate member. v

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said inwardly directed wall of said stop means is inclined relative to said upper plate means, with said inclined wall being parallel to said lower plate when said lower plate member abutingly engages the inclined wall. 

1. An automatic tilting safety transmission adapter base assembly for removing and installing vehicle transmissions comprising upper and lower contiguous plate members, hinge means pivotally connecting a marginal edge portion of said contiguous plate members together so that the plate members are free to be pivotally moved respective to one another; stop means connected to said assembly for limiting the angular displacement of one plate member away from the other, said plate members being free to pivot toward and away from one another within the limits of said stop member; a jack head mount means for removably securing said lower plate member to the head of a jack assembly; a plurality of elongate swingable brackets, means forming spaced apertures in said brackets; one aperture being for attachment to a transmission; a plurality of apertures formed in the marginal hinged end portion of said upper plate, bolt means swingably securing one apertured portion of said bracket to said upper plate; and a cut-out in the hinged end of said lower plate member for enabling the plates to be pivoted together with the lower plate member freely clearing said bracket and said bolt means; whereby: said base assembly can be affixed to a jack head by said jack head mount means, said brackets can be affixed to a transmission, and the transmission can be removed or replaced respective of a vehicle while the plate members freely pivot apart so that the transmission can assume an angular disposition relative to the vehicle and the jack.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stop means is affixed to said upper plate, said stop means having a vertical downwardly disposed wall from which there is affixed an inwardly directed wall which abuttingly receives the lower plate thereagainst when the upper plate member is pivoted away therefrom.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said vertical downwardly disposed wall includes a continuation thereof which is apertured to form part of said hinge means, a pin attached to said lower plate means, said pin having a free end portion extending through said continuation of said downwardly disposed wall.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lower plate member has a pin welded thereto which extends outwardly therefrom and into engagement with said vertical wall form said hinge means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said upper plate member has a series of apertures formed in the area which is superimposed upon said cut-out when the plates are brought into abutting engagement, so that a fastener means can be placed within one said aperture and affixed to one said bracket to theReby enable a transmission to be removably fastened to the upper plate member by said bracket.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said upper plate is provided with apertures at the end opposed to said hinge means and said lower plate member is shortened relative to said upper plate at the end opposed to said hinge means to enable the lower plate member to freely clear the brackets placed in the last said apertures.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the free marginal end portion of said lower plate member is in the form of a truncated triangle, to provide a working area for brackets which are attached to opposed sides of the upper plate member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said inwardly directed wall of said stop means is inclined relative to said upper plate means, with said inclined wall being parallel to said lower plate when said lower plate member abutingly engages the inclined wall. 